Women Veterans Month

3/1/2016

WHEREAS, throughout Virginia’s and our nation’s history, women have served in and alongside the United States Armed Forces to secure and preserve freedom and liberty for all Americans and our allies; and

WHEREAS, American women have demonstrated great skill, sacrifice, and commitment to defending the principles upon which our nation was founded; and

WHEREAS, more than 35,0000 women served in WWI, more than 400,000 in WWII, more than 1,000 (in theater) in the Korean War, and more than 7,500 (in theater) women served throughout the world during the Vietnam War and another 41,000 (in theater) women were deployed during Operation Desert Storm risking their lives to serve their country; and

WHEREAS, women continue to serve in the United States Armed Forces in times of conflict and peace with great honor and dignity in defense of our nation; and

WHEREAS, on December 3, 2015, United States Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced that beginning in 2016, military combat jobs, including infantry units and special operations, will be open to women; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting to recognize the courage, honor, and dignity with which women have served and continue to serve in defense of our nation and our Commonwealth;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Terence R. McAuliffe, do hereby recognize March 2016 as WOMEN VETERANS MONTH in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.